Aluminum Corrosion in Lithium Batteries An Investigation Using the Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance

An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance is used in an investigation of the corrosion of aluminum in electrolytes appropriate for lithium batteries. The electrolytes are solutions of LiN ( CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 , LiC ( CF 3 SO 2 ) 3 , LiCF 3 SO 3 , LiPF 6 , LiBF 4 , and LiClO 4 , singly or in a limited number of combinations, in propylene carbonate (PC) and polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether. Aluminum that is scratched or abraded in an inert atmosphere (so that a protective surface film does not reform) undergoes significant corrosion in PC containing LiN ( CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 , LiC ( CF 3 SO 2 ) 3 , LiCF 3 SO 3 , and LiClO 4 , but forms a protective film in PC containing LiPF 6 , or LiBF 4 . A mechanism of corrosion of aluminum in LiN ( CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 / PC is proposed. © 2000 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.